Interleaving surprise activities in workflow

ABSTRACT

A method includes obtaining primary workflow having a list of activities being performed by a worker; obtaining a surprise activity; comparing a context of the worker to contextual needs of the surprise activity; and interleaving the surprise activity in the list of activities based on a best fit context of the worker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/097,367 for Interleaving Surprise Activities in Workflow filed Dec. 29, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to a method of prioritizing retail product restocking, and, more specifically, to a method of interleaving surprise activities into worker workflow activities.

BACKGROUND

In retail location workflows, and other workflows, there are a large number of different workflow activities that need to be performed by any given worker. Many of these activities come up after a worker is given their primary work duties for a given period of time. Voice directed workflow applications provide a way to guide workers through their primary workflow activities. Conventionally, workers often have multiple voice directed workflow applications on handheld devices that each facilitate a single workflow. If there is a different second workflow the worker needs to interleave with their primary workflow, the worker often must leave the current application, log into another application, complete the work, and the re-log back into the original application to continue the primary workflow. In other instances, when more than one workflow is incorporated into a single application, the user still needs to navigate through a series of nested menus of functionality for the primary workflow to enter another nested menu of functionality to access the second workflow. Both of these conventional approaches result in workflows taking longer to complete, and can sometime require the worker to revisit locations multiple times, rather than accomplishing the objectives of both workflows in the most efficient manner.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the invention, a method comprises: obtaining primary workflow having a list of activities being performed by a worker; obtaining a surprise activity; comparing a context of the worker to contextual needs of the surprise activity; and interleaving the surprise activity in the list of activities based on a best fit context of the worker.

In an embodiment, obtaining a list of activities being performed by a worker includes obtaining multiple lists of activities for multiple workers, and wherein the interleaving of the surprise activity is based on a best fit context of the multiple workers.

In an embodiment, the context of the worker and contextual needs of the surprise activity include a prioritization.

In another embodiment, the context and contextual needs include a current location of the worker and a location of the surprise activity.

In yet another embodiment, the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity.

In yet another embodiment, the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity if the worker context is indicative of the worker being qualified and having a required tool to perform the surprise activity.

In another embodiment,=the context and contextual needs include a training level of the worker.

In another embodiment, the context and contextual needs include equipment needed to accomplish the surprise activity.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining if deadlines for activities in the list of activities being performed by a worker will be missed if the surprise activity is interleaved in the worker's list of activities.

In another embodiment, the method comprises blocking the interleaving of the surprise activity in the worker's list of activities if a deadline will be missed.

In an embodiment, the context of the worker includes the context at multiple remaining activities in the worker's list of activities, and wherein the surprise task is interleaved after a future activity in the list of activities having the best fit context.

In an embodiment, the method comprises speaking a voice command into a headset to directly access a secondary workflow having the surprise activity.

In an embodiment, the method comprises speaking a voice command into the headset to directly return to the primary workflow from the secondary workflow.

In another aspect of the invention, a device comprises: a processor; a headset having speakers and a microphone coupled to the processor; and a memory device coupled to the processor and having a program stored thereon for execution by the processor to: obtain a primary workflow having a list of activities being performed by a worker; obtain a surprise activity; compare a context of the worker to contextual needs of the surprise activity; and interleave the surprise activity in the list of activities based on a best fit context of the worker.

In an embodiment, obtaining a list of activities being performed by a worker includes obtaining multiple lists of activities for multiple workers, and wherein the interleaving of the surprise activity is based on a best fit context of the multiple workers.

In another embodiment, the context and contextual needs include a current location of each worker and a location of the surprise activity, wherein the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity if the worker context is indicative of the worker being qualified and having a required tool to perform the surprise activity.

In another embodiment, the processor executes the program to determine if deadlines for activities in the list of activities being performed by a worker will be missed if the surprise activity is interleaved in the worker's list of activities.

In yet another embodiment, the processor executes the program to block the interleaving of the surprise activity in the worker's list of activities if a deadline will be missed.

In an embodiment, the processor executes the program to receive a voice command from the headset to directly access a secondary workflow having the surprise activity.

In another embodiment, the processor executes the program to receive a voice command from the headset to directly return to the primary workflow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a distributed headset;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a distributed headset system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of interleaving activities based on worker context;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of directly accessing a secondary workflow from a primary workflow;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of interleaving as a function of activity deadlines; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a computer system for interleaving activities in a workflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and that structural, logical, and electrical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The functions or algorithms described herein can be implemented in software or a combination of software and human implemented procedures in one embodiment. The software can consist of computer executable instructions stored on computer readable media or computer readable storage device such as one or more memory or other type of hardware based storage devices, either local or networked. Further, such functions correspond to modules, which are software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. Multiple functions can be performed in one or more modules as desired, and the embodiments described are merely examples. The software can be executed on a digital signal processor, ASIC, microprocessor, or other type of processor operating on a computer system, such as a personal computer, server or other computer system.

In retail location workflows, and other workflows, there are a large number of different workflow activities that need to be performed by any given worker. Many of these activities come up after a worker is given their primary work duties for a given period of time. Voice directed workflow applications provide a way to guide workers through their primary workflow activities, but that does not solve the problem of identifying the proper worker to perform an “interrupt driven” activity at an arbitrary point in time.

In a voice directed workflow, a worker will be told the correct location to go to, verify their location, and then they will be told the specific actions they need to perform. Typically, this is a series of similar activities, like re-stocking shelves, or selecting items from specific locations to build an order. Instead of following individual types of workflow activities, arbitrary additional workflow activities can be introduced into the voice directed workflow at any time based on when the worker is in the appropriate context to perform that activity.

A workflow application framework allows workers to be directed through their activities from a data driven implementation. Given knowledge of the workflow activities being performed by every worker in a given facility, additional work activities can be assigned to the best fit worker, interleaving the new activity into their stream of work.

Additional contextual information about the worker, the work they are performing, and the equipment that they have with them to perform the work they are currently performing can be used to identify the best fit worker for an additional or “surprise” work activity. For additional, work activities, contextual needs can be identified. These needs might include location or proximity, worker certification or training for specific tasks involved in performing the surprise work activity, or the equipment needed to perform the task or tasks. The location can also involve a sense of a path being taken by the worker. For instance, if a worker is completing a work activity at a first location, and surprise work activity is on a likely path to the location of the next work activity task, or a later work activity task, the surprise work activity can be added to the activity list of the worker following the next or later activity task, provided the worker has the experience, equipment, and time to perform the surprise work activity and is also the best identified worker.

The best worker is identified for a given task by scoring each possible worker based on the needs and contextual information. Once the best worker is identified, this new workflow activity can be transmitted to the worker already performing their work, and interleaved into their activities.

Priority of work activities can also be taken into account, as well as deadlines for completing both existing work activities for workers and the surprise work activity. In one example in a retail store environment, a worker can be stocking shelves, and is two steps away from a shelf that needs a label change, such as to reflect a new price for items on the shelf If the worker is trained in label changes, has an appropriate printer to print a new label, and if performing this surprise work activity will not adversely affect the stocking of product, then the worker can be the best worker for the activity and the activity will be interleaved into their stocking activities. A further example activity can be taking an inventory of a specific product at a shelf.

For example, if the worker is stocking turkeys just before a holiday, the stocking activity can be a higher priority work activity, and the worker may not be the best fit even if the location context alone is a best fit. Thus, a high priority activity can preempt a lower priority activity from being interleaved in a given workers list of activities. Priorities are optional, and can be specified by store management. In one form of prioritization, activities can be designated as interruptible or non-interruptible, or surprise activities can be designated as interrupt all tasks, or only interrupt interruptible tasks. One such surprise activity can be safety related, such as spill that needs immediate cleaning. There are many different prioritization schemes that can be used. Each type of work activity can be provided a priority level from multiple priority levels. In a further prioritization scheme, each different context can be assigned priorities. Prioritization schemes can be modified to match business plans for each business. For instance, location can be giving the highest priority. For another business, customer safety can be given the highest priority. Price changes can be a higher priority for other business competing primarily on price.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a distributed headset 100 is a wireless enabled voice recognition device that utilizes a hands-free profile, where increased battery life is obtained by off-loading elements of the traditional headset into an external electronics module 110 (“module”). The module 110 can communicate with a server 116 to receive a batch of activities, referred to as a workflow or work queue. Server 116 can have one or more user or operator computers attached to direct workflow, one of which can also receive wireless signals from the module 125 to interface between the headset 110 and server 116. In an embodiment, the server 116 can provide the distributed headset 100 with a single activity at a time.

The external module 110 is coupled to a light-weight and comfortable headset 115 secured to a worker head via a headband 117. The headband 117 can be a band that is designed to be secured on a worker's head, in an ear, over an ear, or the like. In an embodiment, the headset 115 includes one or more speakers 120 and one or more microphones 125, 126. In an embodiment, microphone 125 is a conventional microphone that converts sound waves into analog signals. Microphone 126 can be one or more microphones that provide for noise cancellation continuously receiving and blocking environmental sounds to enhance voice recognition and optionally provide for noise cancellation.

The external electronics module 110 houses several components typically incorporated in a conventional headset. Thus, the distributed headset 100 reduces the weight of the headset 115 by incorporating heavier components, such as the battery, into the external module 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the external module 110 houses one or more of a rechargeable or long life battery, keypad, Bluetooth® antenna, and printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) electronics. The module 110 can include a lapel clip or a lanyard to facilitate attachment of the module 110 to the worker's torso.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the headset 115 is communicatively connected to the electronics module 110 via a communication link 130, such as a small audio cable 130 a shown in FIG. 1, or wireless link 130 b shown in FIG. 2. The distributed headset 100 provides a flexible use case across multiple workflows in multiple markets, such as grocery retail, direct store delivery, healthcare, etc. In some embodiments, the distributed headset 100 has a low profile and is not intimidating to a customer in a retail setting. Thus, in some embodiments, the headset 115 can be minimalistic in appearance in an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the cable 130 a electrically connects the battery in the module 110 to the headset 115 and provides a source of power to the headset 115.

In an embodiment, module 110 can be used with different headsets, such as Honeywell Vocollect™ headsets, depending on environment.

In an embodiment, the headset electronic circuitry package 135 includes a memory 136 that stores the unique identifier of the headset 115. The headset electronic circuitry package 135 electronically couples the memory 136, speakers 120, and microphones 125 to the electronics module 110. In an embodiment, the audio cable 130 includes multiple conductors or communication lines for signals which can include a speaker +, speaker −, ground digital, microphone, secondary microphone, microphone ground, among others. The module 110 optionally utilizes a user configurable attachment 140, such as a plastic loop, and attachment position on the worker. In embodiments comprising a wireless link between the headset 115 and module 110, such as Bluetooth™ type of communication link, the headset 115 includes a small, lightweight battery, where the communication link 130 provides wireless signals suitable for exchanging voice communications.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an architecture 200 of distributed headset system 100 provides communications to a worker. The architecture 200 includes the headset 115 and external electronics module 110. Module 110 can be coupled to the server 116 or other device, such as a terminal 210 via a wireless link 215, such as a Bluetooth® connection. The terminal 210 can be further coupled to a network 220 via a wireless or wired connection 225, such as WLAN, or other common wireless protocols, and further coupled via a wired or wireless connection 230 to a voice console 235. The voice console 235 assigns an operator to the terminal 210. Voice templates can be stored in terminal 210 to recognize worker voice interactions and convert the interaction into text based data and commands. The data and commands can interact with an application running on the terminal 210.

Those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the functions ascribed to individual elements of the architecture 200 can be performed in one or more locations. For example, in an embodiment, the terminal 210 can perform voice recognition, or in another embodiment, the module 110 can perform voice recognition utilizing the voice templates. In an embodiment, first stages of voice recognition can be performed by the module 110, with later stages being performed on the terminal 210. In an embodiment, raw audio is transmitted from the module 110 to terminal 210 where the later stages of recognition can be performed.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, server 116 performs a method 300 of obtaining a list of activities being performed by a worker at 210. At 315, a surprise activity can be obtained. The surprise activity can be generated by manager or operator, or other user, or can also be based on process control system determination from sensors, such as in an industrial plant setting. Sensors in a retail or distribution center can be of a type that detect spills or other events that needs attention, and automatically generate an activity to address the event. At 320, a context of the worker or workers can be determined based on a current activity task. The context can also include a current location of the worker, training of the worker, and equipment carried by the worker. At 325, contextual needs of the surprise activity can be determined. Such contextual needs can include a current location of the surprise activity and training level and equipment needed by a worker to perform the surprise activity. A context of the worker or workers based on a current activity task, or activity task to be performed is compared at 320 to contextual needs of the surprise activity. At 330, a best fit analysis can be performed to identify the worker having the best fit context to perform the surprise task. At 335, the surprise activity is interleaved into the list of activities based on a best fit context of the worker.

In various embodiments, obtaining a list of activities 310 being performed by a worker includes obtaining multiple lists of activities for multiple workers. Interleaving of the surprise activity at 325 can be based on a best fit context of the multiple workers, or on a next or future activity of the workers. In some embodiments, the context of the worker and contextual needs of the surprise activity include a prioritization of the activities.

The context and contextual needs can also include a current location of the worker and a location of the surprise activity. In an embodiment, the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity. In another embodiment, the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity if the worker context is indicative of the worker being qualified and having a required tool to perform the surprise activity.

The context and contextual needs can also include a training level of the worker and can further include equipment needed to accomplish the surprise activity, such as a label printer or cleaning supplies. The context of the worker can also include the context at multiple remaining activities in the worker's list of activities, and wherein the surprise activity is interleaved after a future activity in the list of activities having the best fit context.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a method 600 of integrating a secondary workflow with the surprise activity into the primary workflow by voice command. A surprise activity is obtained by the worker at 610. The worker speaks a voice command into the microphone 125 of the headset 115 to directly go to the secondary workflow with the surprise activity at block 615. The worker has completes the secondary workflow at 620. At 625, the worker speaks a voice command into the microphone 125 of the headset 115 to directly return to the primary workflow. The headset 115 returns to the primary workflow without the worker having to manually exit and enter various applications and nested workflow menus at 630.

Thus, in the embodiment described in FIG. 4, multiple workflows are built into a single mobile application stored on the terminal 210 or server 116, the application providing single voice commands to immediately jump from primary to secondary workflows, and returning to the same point in the primary workflow when the secondary workflow has been completed. In an embodiment, the mobile application is stored on terminal 210 or server 116 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. In an embodiment, the method 600 permits a worker to use one, voice assisted or vice driven, mobile application to carry out and interleave all necessary workflows, and any changes in communication with the terminal 210 would be transparent to the worker.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a method 500 includes determining at 510 if deadlines for activities in the list of activities being performed by a worker will be missed if the surprise activity is interleaved in the worker's list of activities, and at 520 blocking the interleaving of the surprise activity in the worker's list of activities if a deadline will be missed.

FIG. 6 is a block schematic diagram of a computer system 400 to implement methods according to example embodiments. All components need not be used in various embodiments. One example computing device in the form of a computer 400 can include a processing unit 402, memory 403, removable storage 410, and non-removable storage 412. Although the example computing device is illustrated and described as computer 400, the computing device can be in different forms in different embodiments. For example, the computing device can instead be a smartphone, a tablet, headset, smartwatch, or other computing device including the same or similar elements as illustrated and described with regard to FIG. 4. Devices such as smartphones, tablets, headsets, and smartwatches are generally collectively referred to as mobile devices. Further, although the various data storage elements are illustrated as part of the computer 400, the storage can also or alternatively include cloud-based storage accessible via a network, such as the Internet.

Memory 403 can include volatile memory 414 and non-volatile memory 408. Computer 400 can include—or have access to a computing environment that includes—a variety of computer-readable media, such as volatile memory 414 and non-volatile memory 408, removable storage 410 and non-removable storage 412. Computer storage includes random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions.

Computer 400 can include or have access to a computing environment that includes input 406, output 404, and a communication connection 416. Output 404 can include a display device, such as a touchscreen, that also can serve as an input device. The input 406 can include one or more of a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, keyboard, camera, one or more device-specific buttons, one or more sensors integrated within or coupled via wired or wireless data connections to the computer 400, and other input devices. The computer can operate in a networked environment using a communication connection to connect to one or more remote computers, such as database servers. The remote computer can include a personal computer (PC), server, router, network PC, a peer device or other common network node, or the like. The communication connection can include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other networks.

Computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium are executable by the processing unit 402 of the computer 400. A hard drive, CD-ROM, and RAM are some examples of articles including a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage device. The terms computer-readable medium and storage device do not include carrier waves. For example, a computer program 418 capable of providing a generic technique to perform access control check for data access and/or for doing an operation on one of the servers in a component object model (COM) based system can be included on a CD-ROM and loaded from the CD-ROM to a hard drive. The computer-readable instructions allow computer 400 to provide generic access controls in a COM based computer network system having multiple users and servers.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps can be provided, or steps can be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components can be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments can be within the scope of the following claims.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: obtaining primary workflow having a list of activities being performed by a worker; obtaining a surprise activity; comparing a context of the worker to contextual needs of the surprise activity; and interleaving the surprise activity in the list of activities based on a best fit context of the worker.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining a list of activities being performed by a worker includes obtaining multiple lists of activities for multiple workers, and wherein the interleaving of the surprise activity is based on a best fit context of the multiple workers.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the context of the worker and contextual needs of the surprise activity include a prioritization.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the context and contextual needs include a current location of the worker and a location of the surprise activity.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity if the worker context is indicative of the worker being qualified and having a required tool to perform the surprise activity.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the context and contextual needs include a training level of the worker.
 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the context and contextual needs include equipment needed to accomplish the surprise activity.
 9. The method of claim 1 comprising determining if deadlines for activities in the list of activities being performed by a worker will be missed if the surprise activity is interleaved in the worker's list of activities.
 10. The method of claim 9, comprising blocking the interleaving of the surprise activity in the worker's list of activities if a deadline will be missed.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the context of the worker includes the context at multiple remaining activities in the worker's list of activities, and wherein the surprise task is interleaved after a future activity in the list of activities having the best fit context.
 12. The method of claim 1, comprising speaking a voice command into a headset to directly access a secondary workflow having the surprise activity.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising speaking a voice command into the headset to directly return to the primary workflow from the secondary workflow.
 14. A device comprising: a processor; a headset having speakers and a microphone coupled to the processor; and a memory device coupled to the processor and having a program stored thereon for execution by the processor to: obtain a primary workflow having a list of activities being performed by a worker; obtain a surprise activity; compare a context of the worker to contextual needs of the surprise activity; and interleave the surprise activity in the list of activities based on a best fit context of the worker.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein obtaining a list of activities being performed by a worker includes obtaining multiple lists of activities for multiple workers, and wherein the interleaving of the surprise activity is based on a best fit context of the multiple workers.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the context and contextual needs include a current location of each worker and a location of the surprise activity, wherein the worker currently closest to the location of the surprise activity is the worker selected for performing the surprise activity if the worker context is indicative of the worker being qualified and having a required tool to perform the surprise activity.
 17. The device of claim 14 wherein the processor executes the program to determine if deadlines for activities in the list of activities being performed by a worker will be missed if the surprise activity is interleaved in the worker's list of activities.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the processor executes the program to block the interleaving of the surprise activity in the worker's list of activities if a deadline will be missed.
 19. The device of claim 14 wherein the processor executes the program to receive a voice command from the headset to directly access a secondary workflow having the surprise activity.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein the processor executes the program to receive a voice command from the headset to directly return to the primary workflow. 